Mining apparatus



Oct. 24, 1939. E. M. cADwALLADER MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 193'? 13 Sheets-Sheet ll Oct. 24, 1939.

E. M. cADwALLADl-:R 2,176,885

MINING APPARATUS F'led July 14, 1937 13 Sheets-She'et 2 @5 wwf/VW @W Oct. 24, 1939.' E. M. cADwALLADER MINING APPARATUS 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 14, 1957 0dr 24. 1939- IE. M. CADWALLADER MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oft 24, 1939 E. M. cADwALLADER MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 .Imm

Llull Oct. 24, .1939. E. M. CADWALLADER MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1957 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Sum/ww Oct 24. 1939. E. M. cADwALLADl-:R

MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct. 24, 1939. E. M, CADWALLADER 2,176,885

MINING APPARATUS Filed Ju1y14, 1937 13 sheets-sheet 9 OGL 24, 1939. E. M. cADwALLADl-:R 2,176,885

MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 ZZQLE.

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MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 13 SheelS-Sheerl 1l annua/1J Oct. 24, 1939. E. M. cADwALLADER MINING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 Oct. 24, 1939. 'E M cADwALLADER 2,176,885

MIN ING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1937 1s sheen-sheet?1:5

UNITE. @ifilrliii'i @Figi MINING APPARATUS Edgar M. Cadwallader, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to Mineral Cutting Machine Company, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 14, 1937, Serial No. 153,659

45 Claims. (Cl. 262-22) 'This invention relates to an apparatus for the mining of coal or similar mineral from the workmining of coal or similar mineral. More paring breast without the use of explosives. ticularly it has to do with the pitch mining of Another object of the present invention is to hard coal or similar mineral. provide an apparatus for the mining of coal or Pitch mining as now practiced consists in similar mineral whereby the coal or mineral is 5 drilling holes into the face of working breast broken away from the working breast or face of the coal strata or vein at suitably spaced with the avoidance of the clust and gas eX- points, lling each hole with a charge of exploplosion hazards. sive, and then setting off such charges. Thus, Another object of the present invention is to the coal is broken away from the face or breast provide an apparatus for the mining of coal or 1.0 by blasting. In this method the degree of imsimilar mineral whereby the coal or similar pact and shattering power of the blast is demineral is broken away and dislodged by the pendent upon ythe skill of the miner in selecting application to the walls of contiguous communithe proper relative positions of each hole, in eating areas formed in the working breast at a l5 drilling the holes to the proper depth, in employpoint spaced from an undercut and side out and 15 ing the correct amount of the explosive charge, in a plane substantially parallel with the pitch and in tamping the charge properly in each of of the floor .of the vein at points intermediate the the holes. It will be apparent that if great care axes of said areas of expansive forces which in and skill are not exercised by the miner, a blastthemselves are of such magnitude as to break l ing effect will result which is of such intensity away the coal or mineral in the region of such 20 and repercussion as to cause severe fractures in areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines the lateral ribs and cave-ins in the roof and and undersized particles with the avoidance of shatter the coal into a relatively high percentage dust and the elimination of sparks. of small particles of a size known as undersized A further object of the present invention is to coal or fines. provide an apparatus for the mining of coal or 25 In the blasting method of pitch mining, the similar mineral whereby water is applied to a coal is blasted primarily from the central portion plurality of boring elements while working in of the breast, leaving portions of the coal dependthe face of a breast of coal or mineral to form ing from the roof and protruding from the lateral contiguous communicating areas in such manner ribs. In order to maintain the breast or face of as to allay the dust induced by the action of the 30 uniform fracture, it is necessary to remove such boring elements and to quench any sparks which portions, and this can only be done by hand opermay be produced by the boring elements strikated wedges, sledges, or picks. The blasting ing spar. causes an undue amount of rsmoke and coal dust A still further object of the present invention which are not only injurious to the health of is to provide an apparatus for the mining of coal 3 5 the workmen, but also unduly tax the system of or similar mineral whereby the cuttings proventilation. In addition, there is the grave duced by the action of a plurality of boring eledanger of ,gas explosions and consequent res ments in forming contiguous communicating which result in many injuries or fatalities to the areas in the face of they breast of coal or mineral workmen. Then also, as it is not possible t0 are prevented from collecting within said areas. 40 dislodge the coal from the entire area of the .A still further object of the present invention breast or face by blasting without causing some is to provide an apparatus for the mining of damage -tO the FOO and the lateral IbS. it iS coal or similar mineral which includes a means necessary to `continual-ly reinforce the roof by for actuating the expansive force inducing means of upright timbers and collars so as to elements. .45

' protect the workmen from injury or fatality due A still further object of the present invention to the falling of pieces or sections of the roof. is to provide an apparatus for the mining of The bringing of the timber required for this coal or similar mineral wherein the combined purpose to the working breast is an extremely boring and expansive force inducing elements difficult and burdensome task for the workmen assembly includes a dust and spark allaying 50 because of its great weight. means.

Accordingly, an object of the present inven- A still further object of the present invention tion is to provide an apparatus for the mining is to provide an apparatus for the mining of of coal or similar mineral which is capable of coal or similar mineral wherein the combined performing all the operations incident to the boring and expansive force inducing element as- 55 sembly position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the mining of coal or similar mineral which includes a mechanically operated means for shifting the unit including the plurality of boring elements, to a position such that the boring elements will be either in a horizontal or vertical plane.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the mining of coal or similar mineral which includes means for rigidly maintaining the unit comprisng the boring elements in its adjusted angular position with relation to the pitch of the floor of the vein and for counteracting the back pressure caused by the working of the boring elements in the breast of coal or mineral.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the miningrof coal or similar mineral which includes means for supporting it as a unit in the vein adjacent the face or working breast of the coal or mineral to be mined.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the apparatus according to the present invention operative position in a coal or mineral vein of the pitch type. n

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the mechanism for actuating the boring elements and the elements for inducing the expansive forces.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line dof Figure 3, showing the drive for the automatic clutch throw-out.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, showing the mechanism for rotating the boring elements.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 5 of Figure 3, showing the mechanism for actuating the elements for inducing the expansive forces.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1 1 of Figure 3, showing the means for guiding and holding the combined apparatus embodying the boring elements and elements for inducing expansive forces and the actuating mechanism therefor in its xed adjusted position with respect to the face of the breast of coal or min,- eral.

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan View, showing the boring and expansive forcey inducing element assembly.

Figur-e 9 is an enlarged end view, partially in section, of the assembly of Figure 8, illustrating the relative positions of both the boring elements and the expansive force inducing Yelements when operating in the coal in the breast, and the type of contiguous communicating areas shown by the dotted lines which are formed as a result of the combined action of such elements.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line I-i of Figure 8, showing one of the elements for inducing expansive forces.

. Figure 11 is a sectional view taken Von the line -lI-H of Figure 10 showing the shape of the front expansive force inducing member.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line is shiftable to any desired angular l2-I2 of Figure 10 showing the means for attaching the jaw member portions of the expansive force applying members to the guide bars.

Figure 13 is a detailed perspective view of the front expansive force inducing member.

Figure 14 is a detailed perspective view of the rear expansive force inducing member.

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line l5-l5 of Figure 2, showing the gear assembly for connecting the mechanism for rotating the boring elements and for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward to the motor shaft, the tubular means for connecting the shaft for rotating the boring elements and for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward with the gearing for rotating the boring elements shown in Figure 3, and the mechanism for moving the boring and expansive force inducing elements as a unit to any desired position.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional View showing the mechanism for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements apparatus forward andA backward, and means for rotating such apparatus as a. unit.

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line I'i-i'i of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line iiii8 of Figure 15 showing the gear assembly for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward.

Figure 19 is a horizontal sectional view taken L..

on the line l9-l9 of Figure 18, showing the mechanism for rotating the boring elements, and the mechanism for feeding the vboring and expansive force inducing elements .toward and away from the breast of coal or mineral.

Figure 20 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 20-20 of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is a detailed vertical sectional View of the upper left hand portion of Figure 18 showing the speed change shifting means.

Figure 22 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Figure 21, showing the nest of driven gears in association with the speed change gear.

Figure 23 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 23-23 of Figure 21, showing the mechanism for locking the speed change gear in its yadjusted position.

Figure 24 is a .detailed sectional view taken on the line 24-24 of Figure 19, showing the mechanism for reversing the rotation of the shaft for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing f elements forward.

Figure 25 is a partial detailed end View of Figure 20, showing the levers for operating the forward and reverse clutches.

Figure 26 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 25-26 of Figure 20, showing the connection between the lever and the rod for operating the reverse clutch.

Figure 27 is an enlarged elevational View of the mechanism for supporting the boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus as a unit in the vein.

Figure 28 is a plan view taken approximately on the line 28-28 of Figure 27, showing the connection of the upper bracket with its complemental member.

Figure 29 is a plan view of the lower bracket taken on the line 29-29 of Figure 27.

Figure 30 is a sectional View taken on the line 30-30 of Figure 27 showing the connection of the tubular member of the boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus to the wing bracket.

Figure 31 is an enlarged plan view taken on the line 3I-3I of Figure l, sho-wing the jack for moving the carriage along the tracks.

Figure 32 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 32-32 of Figure 1, showing the mounting of the carriage supporting the machine upon the tracks and the mechanism for moving the carriage along the tracks.

Figure 33 is a sectional view taken on the line 33--33 of Figure 31, showing the connection of the jack with the carriage.

Figure 34 is a sectional View taken on the line 34--34 of Figure 33, showing the specific manner of attaching the jack to the carriage frame.

Figure 35 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 35-35 of Figure 8, showing in detail the actuating mechanism for one of the expansive force inducing elements.

Figure 36 is a longitudinal sectional View of the boring and expansive force inducinU element apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I designates a housing from which protrude a series of boring elements 2, said elements being rotatably mounted within said housing. As the mounting of each of these elements is the same, only one of such mountings will be described. The boring element 2 is mounted in bearings 3, 4, and 5 of the housing as. shown in Figure 3. Fixedly secured to the boring element 2 intermediate the bearings 4 and 5 is a pinion 6 which meshes with a gear 1 carried by a shaft 8. The gear 1 in turn meshes with a gear 9 carried by the shaft I8, the said gear 9 being also in meshing engagement with the gear H carried by a shaft I2. The gear Il meshes with a pinion I3 fixedly mounted on a hexagonal shaft I4 as shown in Figure 5.

To one end of the hexagonal shaft i4 is coupled a hollow tube I5 by means of a coupling I1. The tube I5 is of larger cross-sectional area than the shaft i4 as clearly shown in Figure 3. Fixedly mounted in the free end of the tube I5 is a nut 241 Figures 15 and 16 whose inner peripheral surface is of hexagonal contour, and slldably mounted in such nut is a hexagonal shaft I The hexagonal shaft I6 extends into transmission casing I8 and is rotatably mounted therein. On this shaft I6 is mounted a gear i9 which meshes with a gear 29 carried by a shaft 2i. Mounted upon the shaft 2l and fixedly keyed to the gear 28 is a gear 22 which meshes with a gear 23 carried by a shaft 24. The shaft 24 also carries a gear 25 which meshes with a pinion 26 Figures 18 and 19 carried by a shaft 21 of the motor 28.

By reference to Figures 3 and 15 it will be seen that surrounding the portion of the hexagonal shaft l5 which is within the transmission casing I8 is a sleeve 29. Mounted in surrounding relation with the sleeve 29 is a hollow tube 33 which has a threaded portion 34. Into the free end of the tube 33 telescopes the free end of the hollow tube I5.

'As clearly shown in Figures 16 and 17 in threaded engagement with the threaded portion 34 is a travelling nut 36 which is xedly secured to the inner peripheral surface of a hollow tube 31 by means of pins 38. Carried by the pins 38 is a roller assembly 39. On the threaded portion 34 at a point suitably spaced from the nut 36 is a collar 40 Figure 3 which acts to maintain such threaded portion in aligned position within the tube 31. The end of the tube 31 opposite the travelling nut 36 extends into the projection 4I of the housing I and is fixedly secured thereto.

As illustrated in Figure 15 on the sleeve 29 are keyed a nest of gears 39, 3|, and 32 which are of varying diameters. Carried by a shaft 45 Figures 18, 21, and 22 are a nest of gears 46, 41, and 43 which are likewise of varying diameters. This last-named nest of gears is in alignment with but in reverse complemental relation with the nest of gears 36, 3|, and 32. A gear 49 carried by a loose shaft 50 is shiftable to a position such that it will mesh with any pair of opposed gears of the respective nest of gears previously described. For example, it may be made to mesh with gears 3| and 41, as clearly shown in Figures 2l and 22. The mechanism for shifting the loose shaft 50 to the meshing position desired for the gear 49 with the opposed pair of nest of gears comprises as shown in Figures 19, 21, and 22 a bearing 5I provided with a forked extension 52 carried by the shaft 56 which forked extension engages with and rides along an angularly disposed track 53. The bearing pin 5I has a loose collar 54 which is secured thereto by means of a pin 55. Extending through the collar 54 is a slidable arm 55 which is secured to one end of a pin 51 mounted in the lower portion of the transmission casing i8, and surrounding the pin 51 and bearing against the arm 56 and the inside surface of the transmission casing I8 is a spring 58. To the opposite end of the pin 51 Figure 21 is secured an arm 59 which has its free end locked to the transmission casing I8 by means of a pin 69 being inserted in any one of the holes 6l Figure 23 in the transmission casing. 'I'he holes 6| are spaced in such manner as to correspond with the meshing position of gear 49 with any one of the opposed pairs of the respective nests of gears. On the top of the pin 51 is securedly fixed a knob 62 for operating the pin and arm 53. The pin 51 is provided with a cut out portion 63 which receives the end of locking pin 64 extending through an opening in the transmission casing I8 as shown in Figure 23.

As shown in Figures 18, 19, and 20 on the shaft 45 carrying the nest of gears 46, 41, and 48, there is also mounted a gear 65 which meshes with a gear 66 attached to and forming a part of the loose part of the forward friction disk clutch 61 loosely mounted on the shaft 58. The shaft 58 also carries a gear 69 which meshes with a pinion 16 carried by the shaft 24. The shaft 24 is connected to the pinion 26 of the motor shaft 21 through the medium of gear 25 as previously described.

Carried' by the shaft 45 is also a gear 1I Figure 20 which meshes with an intermediate gear 12 Figures 19 and 24 carried by the stub shaft 13. The gear 12 in turn meshes with a gear 14 Figures 20 and 24 which is attached to and is a part of the loose part of the reverse friction disk clutch 15 loosely mounted on shaft 63. The shaft 68 is connected to the pinion 26 Figure 19 of the motor shaft 21 through the medium of gear 69, pinion 16, and gear 26 on shaft 24.

On shaft 68 Figures 18 and 20 in complemental relation with the loose part 61 of the forward friction disk clutch is xedly mounted the slidable part 16 of such friction disk clutch which is connected to one end of a rod 11 by the pin and yoke connection 18. To the opposite end of said rod 11 which protrudes out of the transmission casing I8 is secured a hand lever 19 which is pivotally connected to a brace' member 80. The hand lever 19 is for the purpose of operating the clutch.

Fixedly mounted upon the shaft 68 Figure 20 is the slidable part 8| of the reverse friction disk clutch in complemental relation with the loose part 15 of such clutch. The slidable part 8| is connected to one end of the hollow tube 82 by means of the pin and yoke connection 83. As shown in Figures 20 and 26, the tube 82 is in surrounding relation with respect to rod 11, and has its opposite free end protruding out of the transmission casing |8 to which is secured a hand lever 84, said lever being pivotally connected to a brace member 85. The hand lever `84 operates the reverse clutch.

As shown in Figure 20, the tube 82 is provided with collars 86 and 81 disposed adjacent the yoke members 18 and 83 respectively. Attached to the collar 86 and bearing against yoke connection 18 is a compression spring 88, and a compression spring 89 having an end attached to the collar 81 which bears against yoke connection 83. Engaging with the tube 82 and movable therealong is a forked member 99 which is secured to the thread-ed shaft 9| Which carries a sprocket 92 on one end thereof. In engagement with the sprocket 92 and extending to and engaging with a sprocket 93 carried by the end of the sleeve 29 is a sprocket chain 94. The forked member 90 is moved forward or backward along the tube 82 by this sprocket mechanism until it bears against either of the collars 85 or 81 depending upon whether the forward or reverse clutch is in operative relation to automatically disengage the respective clutch.

As will be apparent from Figures 2 and 8, the boring elements 2 are suitably spaced from each other and are in aligned relation. Disposed intermediate a pair of the boring el-ements 2 is an expansive force inducing element. Since the structure of the expansive force inducing elements is the same, the structure of only one will be described. Such element comprises a rod 95 which is provided with enlarged threaded portions 96 and 91 suitably spaced therealong as shown in Figure 10. In threaded engagement with each of the enlarged portions 96 and 91 is a nut 98 having a pointed nose 99. In complemental relation to each pointed nose 99 of the nuts 98 is mounted a squared block |00 such as shown in Figure 10. To each of the blocks are pivotally connected jaw members |0| and |02 which cooperate with a pointed nose 99 of each of the nuts 98. The front pair of jaw members |0| and |02 are of the configuration shown on the right hand portion of Figure lOl and in Figures l1 and 13 while the rear pair of jaw members |0| and |02 are of the configuration shown on the left hand portion of Figure l0 and 1n Figure 14. The blocks |00 carrying'the jaw members 0| and |02 are supported in complemental relation with respect to the pointed nose 99 of each of the nuts 98 by means of transverse guide bars and |06. Mounted upon the guide bars |05 and |06 at points adjacent the blocks |00 and secured thereto, are cleaning bar members |01 for the purposey to be subsequently described.

As shown in Figure 35 the back end of the rod 95 carrying the expansive force inducing elements extends through an opening into the housing and is mounted in bearings |36 and |31. On the rod 95 intermediate the bearings |36 and |31 is xedly mounted a pinion |38 as likewise shown in Figure 35. As shown in Figur-e 8, there are a series of such rods 95, each of which carry a pinion |38. Each pinion 38 meshes with a gear |39 carried by a stub shaft |40. As will be apparent from Figure 6, there are six pinions 38, each of which mesh with a gear |39, and intermediate the two central gears |39 and in meshing engagement therewith is a gear |4| carried Y by a shaft |42. The shaft |42 Figure 3 also carries a bevel gear |43 which meshes With a bevel gear |44 mounted on the shaft |45. Mounted on the shaft |45 is also a bevel gear |48 which meshes with bevel gears |41 and |48 carried by a shaft |49, said shaft |49 being connected tothe opposite end of the hexagonal shaft I4. Mounted upon the shaft |49 intermediate the bevel gears |41 and |48 is a forward and reverse clutch |50 which is attached to a shifter yoke |5| fixedly mounted on a shifter bar |52. Cooperating with the shifter yoke |5| is a travelling nut |53 which is carried by a threaded portion |54 of a shaft |55, as shown in Figure 4. The shaft |55 carries a sprocket |56 which is in engagement with a sprocket chain |51, said chain being driven -by a sprocket |58 carried by the outer portion of the hub of the bevel gear |48. As shown in Figure 3, the travelling nut |53 carries a yoke member |59 having forks |60 and |6| which are slidably mounted on the shifter bar |52 in such manner that the end of the shifter yoke |5| is intermediate said forks. Thus, as the travelling nut |53 is moved along the shaft |55 one of the forks |60 or |6| is brought into engagement with the end of the shifter yoke |5| to automatically disengage the forward or reverse clutch drive of the clutch |55 depending upon the direction in which the shaft |49 is driven. To the free end of the shifter bar |52 is attached a hand lever |62 which is pivotally connected toI a brace |63 carried by the projection 4| of the housing for shifting the clutch |55 into operative engagement with either of bevel gears |48 and |49 to drive the shaft |49 in the desired direction.

As clearly shown in Figures 8 and 9 intermediate the central pair of the boring elements 2 and running parallel therewith is a pipe |08. The front end of such pipe is connected to a pipe |09 which is disposed transversely of the boring elements 2. Such transverse pipe is made up of a plurality of return bends connected together. Each of the return bends ||0 intermediate the boring elements 2 is provided with a nozzle The back end of the pipe |88 is. adapted to be connected to a source of Water supply as by a iiexible hose H2 for the purpose to be subsequently described.

By reference to Figures S and 9 it will be apparent that the boring elements 2 comprise spiral bars 259 provided with auger bits |63 which are of a configuration such that they partially overlapy each other. This enables the formation of contiguous communicating areas in the breast of coal or mineral which are in the form of circular holes interconnected to each other by means of passages whose upper and lower walls simulate a V-shaped rib, as clearly shown by the dotted lines in Figure 9. It is apparent that these passages permit the rods 95 carrying the expansive force inducing elements, and the guide bars |05 and |06 carrying the cleaning bars |01 together with Water piping to enter into the breast of coal or mineral with the boring elements 2.

With reference to Figures and 16 mounted in surrounding relation with the tube 31 is a sleeve 42 Which has one end thereof extending into the transmission casing I8. Mounted upon the end of the sleeve 82 within the transmission casing I8 is the mechanism for moving the boring and expansive force inducing element assembly as a unit to a position such that the boring elements will be either in a horizontal or vertical plane. Such mechanism comprises a sleeve I|4 Xedly mounted on the portion of the sleeve 42which extends into the transmission casing |8. Carried by the sleeve IIA is a worm gear II which meshes with a worm IIE mounted on a shaft IIT. The shaft III also carries a gear IIB Figure 18 which is in meshing engagement with a` gear I I9 mounted on a shaft |29. Mounted upon the shaft |20 is also a miter gear I2! which meshes with miter gears |22 and |23, said miter gears |22 and |29 being rotatably mounted on shaft. |24. Mounted on shaft 528 intermediate the miter gears |22 and |23 and adapted to coact with either of said gears is a forward and reverse disk clutch |25. The shaft |29 also carries a gear |29 which meshes with a gear |27 rotatably mounted on shaft |29. Gear |27 meshes with and is driven by gear I9. The clutch |25 is operated by a shifter yoke |29 which is fixedly mounted on a shaft |39. The shaft |38 is slidably mounted in the transmission casing I9 and is operated by a lever |3| which is pivotally connected to a bracket |32.

As shown in Figures 3 and 15 the opposite end of the sleeve 42 extends into a projection 83 of a cap member t8 and is secured thereto, the said cap member being fixedly mounted upon the tube 37 adjacent the projection 9| of the housing The cap member 84 houses a roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers |33 whose outer peripheral surfaces correspond to the outer periphery of tube 97. Such rollers are rotatably mounted on pins |38. The roller assembly is locked to the tube 37' by means of a iexible pin device |35.

By reference to Figures l and I5 it will be seen that surrounding the sleeve i2 and secured to the transmission casing I9 is a supporting sleeve |65. As shown in Figures 27, 28, 29, and 30 to such sleeve |85 are hingedly connected wing brackets |86 as at |97. To one end of the wing brackets 66 is connected a trolley 72 as at |73 which trolley rides along a transversely disposed I beam track |79 supported and carried by supporting members or brackets |75. The brackets E75 are hingedly connected to brackets |79 as at |77, the said brackets |79 being secured to the upper portion of a sleeve |79 slidable upon each of the supporting standards 299. Each of the brackets |75 have a semi-circular shaped portion |80 provided with a plurality of openings I9! which may be moved into complemental relation with an opening |82 in the brackets |79, and the portions |80 and brackets |79 locked together by means of pins |93. As shown in Figurel 27, each of the brackets |76 carries a cam locking device |88 for locking them in the position to which they are moved on the supporting standards 240.

To the opposite end of the wing brackets |59 is connected a trolley |85 as at |95 which trolley rides along a transversely disposed I beam track |87 supported and carried by supporting members or brackets |88. Each ofbrackets |88 are hingedly connected to a bracket |89 as at |99, the said bracket |89 being secured to the lower portion of with openings |93 in the brackets I 88, andthe portions 79| and brackets |88 locked together by means di pins |94.

Referring to Figures l and 2, it will be seen that the top ends of the supporting standards 240 are connected to side I beams 280 and 20| disposed adjacent the ceiling of the vein by means of brackets 202. rI'he side I beams 299 and 20| anchored to the ceiling by means of pointed screws E83 carried by brackets 209. The lower ends of the supporting standards 280 are connected to side I beams 205 and 206 of the carriage 207 by means of brackets 208. The side I beams 205 and 299 also carry brackets 209 to which are connected the lower ends of telescopic supports 2 I 9 and 2| I. The upper ends of each of the telescopic supports 249 are connected to the brackets 292 carried by the side I beams 29|) and 29|, the upper ends of each of the telescopic supports 2li are connected to brackets 2I2 carried by the side I beams 290 and 20|.

As will be apparent from Figure 27, each of wing brackets |96 has a semi-circular portion |83 provided with a plurality of openings |09, said portion protruding outwardly centrally from each of such brackets. The supporting sleeve |65, as shown in Figure 30, is provided with apertured lugs |79 to which are secured the portions |68 at any one of its openings |69 by means of pins |7|. The purpose of this mechanism is to rigidly maintain the I beam tracks |78 and |87 in their adjusted position and also retain the combined boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus in fixed position with relation to such tracks. In addition, such mechanism has the function of counteracting the back pressure caused by the action of the boring elements while working in the breast of coal or mineral.

From Figure 27, it will be apparent that the combined boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus can be adjusted independently without disturbing the adjusted position oi the I beam tracks |74 and |87 as shown in such iigure. Such independent adjustment may be done by withdrawing the pins I7I, moving the semicircular portions |88 in the direction such that the proper one of the openings |69 is brought into registry with the apertured lugs |79 corresponding to the position to which the apparatus has been moved, and then inserting the pins |7I through the respective registering opening and apertured lug.

Referring to Figures 1 and 15, it will be seen that the sleeve 42 also carries a sleeve |96 xedly secured thereto which is connected to a hoist and pulley device |97. Such device comprises a motor EIS and a hoisting mechanism 2M. The device |97 is carried by a trolley 2 I5 which is supported by and rides along a transverse I beam track 2|8 connected to side I beams 200 and 28| by means of brackets ZI'I. Extending from the motor 2|3 are chains |98 and |99 for actuating the motor so as to drive the motor shaft in a direction such as to either raise or lower the combined boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus. The device |97 acts as a supplemental support for such apparatus. Its main purpose, however, is to either raise or lower the apparatus while in its adjusted position.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the carriage 207 is provided with wheels 2|8 which ride along tracks 2 I 9 longitudinally disposed along the oor of the vein. The wheels 2|8 are connected to the side I beams 205 and 206 by means of brackets 220 and 22|.

The tracks 2|9 set in boots 222 75 liti and 223, and are xedly secured thereto. To the sides of each of theboots 222 and 223 are secured yokes 222 to which are attached the lower ends of telescopic tubes 225. The upper ends of the telescopic tubes 225 engage with the ceiling of the vein and are anchored thereto by means of claw shaped shoes 225. The boots 222 are provided with an extension 221 in which is disposed one end of a jack 228. As shown in Figures 31, 32, 33, and 34 the opposite end of the jack 228 is connected to bracket 229. By turning the threaded rod 229, the threaded nut 230 travels forward or backward `along the rod 229 depending upon the direction in which the said rod is turned, and thereby causes the inner tube 23| to move forwardly or backwardly within the outer tube 232 to push the bracket 228 and wheels 2I8 of the carriage 291 carrying the apparatus up or down along the tracks 2|9. The tracks 2|`9 are provided with means for locking the carriage 281 at the stopping position, such means as illustrated in Figures l, 32, and 33 comprising a dog 233 carried by brackets 23 secured to side I beams 255 and 225 of the carriage 201 which engages with a toothed rack 233 xedly secured to the top of tracks 2|9.

As shown in Figure 1, the trolley 2I5 carries a chain and pulley device 235 whereby the combined boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus is moved backward and forward transversely of the vein of coal or mineral.

In operation of the apparatus according to the present invention, the operator shifts the mounting of the combined boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus to a position such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane. lThis is effected by moving the lever |3| in the proper direction so as to cause the respective portion of the clutch |25 to operatively engage with its complemental miter gear |22 or |23. The rotation of the miter gear |22 or |23 causes the rotation of the sleeve 42 carrying the housing with its boring and expansive force inducing element assembly by means of the miter gear |2I, shaft |28, gear ||2,'gear ||8, shaft II1, worm H5, Worm H5, and sleeve H4. As soon as the sleeve 42 has been rotated to a degree such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane, the operator moves the lever I3| to its initial position and thereby disengaging the clutch from its complemental miter gear |22 or |23. llt is to be noted that the roller assembly |33 acts to hold the sleeve 6,2 in the position to which it has been moved by the rotation of the worm I I 5 carried by the sleeve I it.

With the boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus in a position such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane, the operator next shifts such apparatus to a position such that the boring elements will be in a horizontal plane which is at an Vangle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor of the vein. This is done by withdrawing the pins I1I,' |83, and |34, moving the semi-circular shaped portions |88 and |9| in the direction such that the proper one of the openings |8| and |92 is brought into registry with the openings |82 and |93 corresponding to the position to which the transverse I beam tracks |14 and |31 have been moved, and then inserting the pins |83 and |94 through the registering pair of openings IBI and |82 and pair of openings |92 and |93. Following this the semi-circular portions |88 are likewise moved in the direction such that the proper one ofthe openings |53 is brought intoregistry with the apertured lugs |10, and the pins |1| inserted through the respective registering opening and apertured lug.

After the boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus is in position such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane which is at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor of the vein, the operator lowers the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements in their adjusted position face a multiple of the breast at the juncture point of the breast and the floor of the vein. This is done by pulling the cam locking devices |84 outwardly so as to release the brackets |16 from locking engagement with the supporting standards 24U, and then pulling downwardly on the chain |98 or |99 which rotates the motor 2|3 in the direction that causes the hoisting mechanism 2|4 to lower the apparatus. As soon as the apparatus has been lowered to its desired position, the operator pulls the opposite chain to stop the motor, and then moves the cam locking devices |84 inwardly to lock the brackets |15 to the supporting standards 24|).

The operator next operates the chain and pulley'device 235 to shift the apparatus transversely to a position such that the boring elements are in a position to attack a multiple of the working breast extending from either one of the two lateral ribs or intermediate the lateral ribs, preferably extending from either the right or left hand lateral rib. With the boring elements in such position, the operator starts the rotation of the motor shaft 21. The rotation of the shaft 21 causes the rotation of each of the boring elements 2 through the pinions 6 carried by each of said elements. As shown in Figure 5, the pinions 6 are in mesh with each other, and such pinions are rotated in unison by means of a gear 1 which meshes with one of the pinions 6. The gear 1 is driven from the motor shaft 21 through the shaft 8, gear 9, shaft I0, gear II, shaft |2, gear I3, hollow hexagonal shaft I4, hollow tube I5, nut 22|, hexagonal shaft I 8, gear I9, gear 28, shaft 2|, gear 22, gear 23, shaft 24, gear 25, and pinion 26.

While the boring elements 2 are rotating, the operator connects the hose II2 to the pipe I 08, and causes the supply of water to ow through hose |I2 into pipe |88. At this point, the hand lever 19 is pushed inwardly so as to cause the feeding of the rotating boring elements into the breast of coal or mineral. The pushing of the lever 19 inwardly moves the driven part 16 of the friction clutch into engagement with the loose part |51 of said clutchn and thereby rotates shaft 45 through the medium of gears B6 and 65. The shaft 45 drives the sleeve 29 by means of gears 41, 49, and 3|. By the rotation of the sleeve 29 the nut 38 is caused to move along the threaded portion 34 of the hollow tube 33, and thereby feed hollow tube 31 carrying the housing with its combined boring and expansive force inducing element apparatus forwardly into thebreast of coal or mineral. The extent of travel forwardly of the nut 38 along the threaded portionV 34 of the hollow tube 33 is controlled by means of the travelling yoke 98 which moves along tube 82 and threaded shaft 9| and contacts with and bears against the yoke connection 18 attached to the driven part 18 of the friction clutch at a certain point in its travel to disengage the driven part 16 from the loose part 61 of the clutch. As

shown in Figures 18, 19, and 20, the travellingY yoke 90 is caused to move forwardly along the threaded shaft r9| by means 'of sprocket '-92, sprocket chain 94, and sprocket Wheel '93.

The feeding of the boring elements into the face of the breast causes a lplurality of spaced holes to be formed therein. Since the auger bits ||3 of the boring elements 2 are of such conguration that they partially overlap each other, contiguous communicating areas are formed in the coal which are in the form of circular holes interconnected by passages whose opposite walls simulate V-shaped ribs as clearly shown by the dotted lines in Figure 9.

As the auger bits ||3 of the boring elements 2 are working in the breast of coal or mineral to form the contiguous communicating areas, water is applied to the portion of the breast in which such areas are being formed by means of nozzles I I. The water serves the purpose of allaying the dust induced by the action of the auger bits and of quenching any sparks which may be produced by the auger bits striking spar. In addition, the water also acts as a cooling medium for the boring elements. It is to be noted that the veins of coal or mineral as a general thing, have piec'ss or particles of spar embedded therein, and such spar is of a different degree of hardness than the surrounding coal or mineral. The striking of the auger bits against such spar induces sparks which must be immediately quenched to avoid the hazard of explosion.

It is apparent that the contiguous communieating areas of the type shown in Figure 9 permit the rods 95 carrying the expansive force inducing elements and the guide bars |95 and |06 carrying the cleaning bar members |91 to enter into the breast of coal or mineral with the boring elements v2. Thus, as the auger bits ||3 of the boring elements are working in the breast to form contiguous communicating areas, the bar members 'm1 cooperate with the spiral bars 259 of the boring elements 2 to effect removal of the auger bit cuttings from such areas. The bar members I E21 push the auger bit cuttings into the spiral bars 25B to thereby cause such cuttings to be fed backwardly toward the face of the breast.

When the boring elements have penetrated into the coal to the desired extent which is controlled by the disengagement of the driven part 16 from the loose part 61 of the clutch by means of the travelling yoke 93, the operator pushes the levei1 84 inwardly so as to cause the feeding of the rotating boring elements away from the breast. The pushing of lever 84 inwardly moves the driven part 8| of the reverse clutch into engagement with the loose part 15 of the clutch, and thereby rotates shaft 45 reversely through gears 14, 12, and 1|. The shaft 45 drives the sleeve 29 bymeans of the gears 41, 49, and 3| in the opposite direction to thereby feed the hollow tube 3'? carrying the housing I backwardly and away from the breast. The extent of travel ofthe nut 3@ reversely along `the .threaded portion 34 of the hollow tube 33 is controlled by means of the same travelling yoke 99 previously described but at a certain point in its reverse travel, the aforesaid yoke contacts with and bears against the yoke connection 83 attached to the driven part 8| of the reverse clutch to disengage the driven part 8| from the loose part 15 of the reverse clutch.

If desired, the speed at which the boring elements are fed toward and away from the breast of coal or mineral may be increased or decreased as desired. This may be done by shifting gear 49 into engagement with either of complemental pairs of gears 3l] and 46, lor 32 vand 48. The

shifting 'of gear 49 `is effected by pulling out- Wardly on the knob 62 and then turning such knob in such direction that the forked bearing 52 will slide along the track 53 to the desired 'extent by means of pin 51 and arm 56. The `gear 49 is then locked in its adjusted position by means of arm 59 and pin 69 as clearly shown in Figure 21.

When the boring elements have been retracted -to their initial position, the operator actuates the Vchain and pulley device 235 to an extent sufcient to shift the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements are in a position to attack another multiple of the breast along the juncture point of the breast and floor of the vein, and repeats the feeding and withdrawing operations of the boring elements previously described. This is continued until a fissure or undercut has been formed which extends partially or completely, preferably completely, across the breast at this point. This fissure or undercut severs the coal from the bed rock of the floor.

Upon completion of the ssure or undercut :at the base of the breast, the operator moves the lever I3! in the proper direction so as to cause the respective portion of the clutch |25 to operatively engage with its complemental miter gear |22 or |23 and rotate the sleeve 42 carrying the housing I, and thereby move the boring elements to a position such that they are in a vertical plane adjacent the line of joinder between a lateral rib and the breast. With the boring elements thus positioned, the operator repeats the feeding and withdrawing operations of the boring elements previously described. The apparatus is then elevated to a position such that the boring elements are approximately just above 'the portion containing the bored contiguous Communicating areas or holes but in the same vertical plane. This is eifected by pulling the cam locking devices |84 outwardly, actuating the hoist and pulley device |91 and then pushing the devices |811; inwardly, whereupon the feeding Vland withdrawing operations of the boring elements are again repeated. This is repeated suc- L cessively until the coal or mineral along the lateral rib has been punctured from the floor to -the roof of the vein, thereby forming a side cut. When this is completed, it is preferable to puncture the coal along the opposite lateral rib from the floor to the roof. This is done in the same manner as described for forming the side cut along the other lateral rib. The side cuts fracture the cleavage of the coal along the lateral ribs.

vUpon completion of the formation of the side cut, the operator moves the lever |3I in the proper direction so as to cause the respective portion of the clutch |25 to operatively engage with its ist Complemental miter gear |22 or |23 and rotate i3() the sleeve 42 carrying the housing i, and thereby return the boring elements to a position such that they are in a horizontal plane. Then, the cam locking devices |84 are pulled outwardly, the hoist and pulley device I 91 actuated to lower the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements will be at a point spaced from the fissure or undercut, and the cam locking devices |84 pushed inwardly, whereupon the chain and pulley device 235 is actuated to an extent suicient to shift the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements are in a position to attack a multiple of the Working breast extending from either one of the two lateral ribs or intermediate the two ribs, preferably to a position extending 

